WASHINGTON — Good things came in 3-pointers for the Cavaliers in their 100-97 win over the Washington Wizards in Game 4 Sunday afternoon at the Verizon Center.
After going just 2-of-16 from behind the arc in losing Game 3 by 36 points, the Cavaliers came back to make 13-of-28 from long range in Game 4, giving them a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series and an opportunity to close things out in Game 5 Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.
“We want to take LeBron (James) away and we want to take dunks away,” Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. “(A 3-pointer) is your last option. We just didn’t get out (to defend) and they didn’t miss at the right time.”
West, who made 5-of-8 threes en route to a playoff career-high 21 points, and Gibson, who scored all 12 of his points on
3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, were particularly deadly in the fourth quarter. The duo combined to go 5-of-8 from long range in the period, with West hitting the game-winner from the left corner with 5.4 seconds left.
“That’s what we have to do to be successful in these playoffs,” said West, a Washington native. “Teams are obviously going to lean to (James).”
James, who finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, has no problem with drawing all the defensive attention and setting up his teammates.
“I’ve always been a guy who trusted my teammates,” the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High graduate said. “Even before I got to the NBA, I’ve always been a guy who has put my teammates first and in front of me as an individual.
“This is a team game. I know I can’t win without my teammates. I also need to make sure I continue to give them confidence. It means a lot more for Delonte to make that shot as our starting point guard, because at times he’s been tentative.”

Cavaliers rebound

The Cavaliers dominated the glass 51-31, with Ben Wallace matching James’ 12 boards and Joe Smith getting eight in just 19 minutes. Smith had five offensive rebounds and Wallace added four, helping Cleveland to a 20-6 edge in second-chance points.
“It was total dominance on the glass,” James said. “When you don’t shoot well from the field (.410), you have to find a way to get other opportunities.”
The Cavaliers did that, finishing with an 18-6 advantage on the offensive boards.
“We didn’t rebound,” Jordan said. “In this business, in the playoffs, if you don’t rebound, you put yourself in a bad situation.”

Hot shots

Washington shot .457 from the field (32-of-70) for the game, a figure that jumps all the way to .571 when a 4-of-21 performance in the second quarter is subtracted. Ironically, the Wizards’ woeful second quarter came after they went 11-of-14 from the field in the first period.
Included in the Wizards’ great shooting was an incredible, off-balance fadeaway by Gilbert Arenas that tied the game with 28 seconds to go. On the official play-by-play sheet, it was described as an “unknown shot.”
“He made a terrific shot,” Jordan said. “We else could make that shot?”

Free throw goals

James said before Game 4 that he needs to attempt “10-plus” free throws a game in the playoffs because “it gets us in the bonus and it gets me into a little more of a rhythm.”
The small forward went to the line 14 times in Game 1, 17 times in Game 2, four times in Game 3 and 14 times in Game 4. For the series, he’s 29-of-49 (.592). During the regular season, the 6-foot-8, 250-pounder shot .712 at the stripe, up from his .698 mark in 2006-07 but below his career mark of .728.
“I’m not happy with it,” James said of his free throw shooting. “It’s getting better. It’s a work in progress. Late in games, I’ve been able to make the ones we need.”

Tip-ins

James played the entire second half, including the final three minutes of the game with five fouls.
• One fan sported a “Queen James” T-shirt that showed the
23-year-old in the outfit he wore for a “Solid Gold” stint while hosting “Saturday Night Live.” Another fan donned a T-shirt with a picture of James and the caption, “The most protected player in the NBA.”
• James, who had 22 points at halftime, had 28 points with 7:53 to play in the third period. He had six the rest of the way.
• Wallace did not attempt a shot in 33 minutes and missed his only two free throws, but played one of his best games since being acquired on Feb. 21.
Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4061 or rickn@ohio.net. 

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